Herkimer Co. gives delinquent taxpayers a final chance

The Herkimer County Legislature Wednesday evening passed a resolution to give delinquent taxpayers a final chance to pay their current and back taxes.

County Attorney Robert Malone said property owners may reclaim a parcel seized through the tax foreclosure process by paying three times the 2011 and 2012 taxes, plus interest and penalties as of the date of payment, and all of the 2013 taxes.

By Rob Juteau

The Telegram

By Rob Juteau

Posted Apr. 27, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 27, 2013 at 6:14 AM

By Rob Juteau

Posted Apr. 27, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 27, 2013 at 6:14 AM

Herkimer, N.Y.

The Herkimer County Legislature Wednesday evening passed a resolution to give delinquent taxpayers a final chance to pay their current and back taxes.

County Attorney Robert Malone said property owners may reclaim a parcel seized through the tax foreclosure process by paying three times the 2011 and 2012 taxes, plus interest and penalties as of the date of payment, and all of the 2013 taxes.

“It sounds like a lot, but this is a final opportunity for property owners to try and save their parcel,” said Malone. “If they are able to make this payment, the parcel will be redeemed and they will receive the deed to their property. This is their escape valve.”

Malone added owners of foreclosed properties scheduled to be sold at auction have until 3 p.m. on Friday, May 31, to make the payment by cash or certified funds.

Legislators in opposition to the “three times” deal said the penalty is not representative of individual cases, as there is no difference between families trying to remain in their homes and owners trying to keep rental properties or vacation homes.

“This is punishment and this is punitive,” said Legislator Helen Rose, D – Herkimer. “This offer assumes the payment is less than the value of the parcel, but that might not be the case. There are people in our county who may not be in a position to reach out to friends, family or the bank to borrow money to keep their homes.”

“It’s sad people have to go through this, but this is an opportunity for them to receive the deed to their property,” said Legislator Patrick Russell, R – Old Forge.

In other business Wednesday evening, the legislature appointed Herkimer and Mohawk Police Chief Joseph Malone, county Administrator James Wallace, legislature Chairman Vincent Bono and Herkimer County Community College Director of Campus Security Timothy Rogers to three-year terms on the STOP-DWI Advisory Board.

• Ilion Mayor John Stephens was appointed to a five-year term on the Herkimer County Sewer District Board. Stephens will represent the village of Ilion on the board.

• The legislature awarded a bid for a 2007 or newer four-wheel drive rubber tired excavator for the county Highway Department to Milton Cat, of Clifton Park, in the amount of $143,000, minus trade-in of $10,000, for a net bid price of $133,000.

• The legislature approved a four-day work week for Herkimer County Community College employees from July 5 to July 26.

• Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Scarano, of Little Falls, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors. Scarano will serve on the board until a success is appointed.

• The legislature authorized a home rule request in relation to the county’s pursuit to continue to impose an additional 1.25 percent sales tax.